Corn-harvester.



Patented luly 3|, I900.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2;

h NM

8W5 JwILQGJZ 622L015]! 7 whom my J. A. SMITH. com! HABVESTER.

(Application filed .m 18, 1599..-

(No Model.)

No. 654,855. Patented luly 3|, I900.

J. A. SMITH.

CORN HARVESTER.

(Application filed July 18, 1899.,

5 Shuts-Sheet 3,

N Suveui'o: (fa/n66 f7. Shut/ J 4 j i QHozn-zu D.A PHOTO-LTNO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

m5 mm mew Q (No Model 1 No. 654,855. Patented July 3|, I900.

.1. A. SMITH.

CORN HARVESTER.

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4,

n fi m 3 mm 3.

QM Qnw um (No Model.)

' I ED STATES PATENT Enron.

JAMES A. SMITH, OF LUTHERVILLE, MARYLAND.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,855, dated J uly 31, 1900.

Application filed uly 18, 1899: Serial No. 724,289- (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern: I 7

Be it known that I, JAMES A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lutherville, in the county of Baltimore and Stateof Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to an improved cornharvester, and particularly to that class of machines where the corn is out and gathered in racks and then delivered by the ,operator at certain points to be made into shocks. I

It has for one object to provide a'machine which will out two rows of cornat a time and be operated by a single horse. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine which issimple in construe: tion, cheap to manufacture,anddurable in character. i

A further object is to provide means for preventing the horse from treading down the turned-down stalks and picking the stalks up and directing them to the cutting mechanism;

A further objectis to provide a'means for hitching a single horse to a corn-harvester that two rows of corn may be cut at a time.

Many other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved corn-harvester. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 1 is a rear view. Fig. 5 is adetail perspective view of one of the corn-cutters and means employed for guiding the corn to the rear platform. Fig. 6 is a central section. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views.

The same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures, wherein- 1 represents a platform made in two sections 2 2, adjustably connected at the front and rear, as at 3 and 4.. The connection 3. consists of two shafts 5 5, mounted on .the

platform-sections 2 2 and connected by a Y sleeveO, which is locked in a given position.

- by ad justing bolts 7. Should unusually-wide rows of'corn be encountered, wider sleeves, (5 will be provided.

The adjusting means l consists of a plate 8, having one end secured to one of the platformsections, the opposite end having a slot .9,

- the ends.

through which a bolt 10 passes. A casterwheelpll, adjustably supported in a tubular bearing in the plate 8, supports the rear of the machine. t

.On the outer end of each of the shafts 5 5 are suppo'rtingwheels 12, each having a I clutch-section 13, which engages similar sections 14 onthe hubs of sprocket-wheels 15, the clutches being operated by suitable levers 16.

The front ends of the platform-sections are each provided with a V-shaped notch 17, to

which the corn is to be directed. Arranged on approximately a parallel line with the outer line of .theV-notches is a suitable supporting frame 18 for carrying the cutting and I: guiding mechanism. The mechanism on each side of .the machine being identical, a description of one will be sufficient. Four vertical shafts 19, 20, 21, and 21 are mounted in the frame 18, each having a roller 22, 23, 24, and 1 24 the rollers22 and 24, so as to afford a means for grasping the cornstalks between a series The roller 23 is of greater diameter than of guards and an endless ribbed belt 26,

which'is mounted on the rollers 22, 23, 24-,"

and-24. The guards 25 consist of a series of flexible plates having eyes 27 and 27 at The front of each plate is curved and projected forward, as at 28, then bent back upon itself, as at 29, conforming to the line of thebelt 26, and then bent forward, as at 30. The guards are supported on stand ards 31 and 32, mounted on the platform-sections 2, the eyes 27 fitting over the standards 31 and the eyes 27 over the standards 32. Sleeves 33 are mounted on the standards and between the guard-eyes. The standard 32 is bent at right angles and extended rearwardly and down, where it is secured to the platform, forming a guide 34. A stay-rod 35 braces the guide 34.

A bracket 36 is mounted on the outer side j of'the frame 18 and supports a movable standard or guide 37, the same being of the same shape as the standard and guide 32 34. A stay 38 is so arranged as to support and brace the standard. I

At the rear of the platform-section's is arranged a frame or seat 39 for the ends of the stalks to rest in. Thisframe, together with the guides 34 and 37, constitute the receptaclefor receiving the corn. On the lower end the platform, each having on the outer end a sprocket-wheel 44, which is connected to the sprocket-Wheel by a sprocket-chain 45. Bevel gear-wheels "46 are also'mountedon these shafts, each engaging with a similar;

wheel on the lower end of the shafts 20. on

the upper end of said shaft is mountedfa sprocket-wheel 47, connected to a similar wheel on the upper end of the shaft 21 by a sprocket-chain 48.

The fenders consist of a band 49, secured at one end to the front of the platform and the rear end to the main shafts. An arm 50, secured at the same point, extends upwardly and forwardly and is secured to the frame 18. Extending forwardly and downwardly from the platform is afender 51, one end secured at 52 and the other removably held to the top of't'he frame 18 by set-screws Working through guides 53. V I

- To obviate the turned-down corn being trampled upon and crushed by the horse, I have provided a novel means for picking it up and directing it to the cutters. Two curved thills 54 are pivotally connected to the platformat 55, each held in any desired position by a rack and lever 56. Secured to the cut side edges of the thills at 57 is a stiff rod 58, curved slightlyout from the line of the thills j and the opposite end secured to said thills at 59. 'Each thill has a tip or extended fender 60 secured at the extreme outer end, bent and turned back, as at 61, the turned-back portion being reduced and adj ustably secu red to the thills at a point approximately on a line with the rods 58. The fenders 60 are made resilient so as to make them adjustable, guides 62 and bolts 63 being the means employed to hold the extended fenders 60. To prevent the corn from going between the thills and the guards, Iarrange plates or guides 62.

Staples 63 and hooks 63 are the means employed for hitching the horse to the thills. However, I do not desire to limit myselfto any particular means for hitching the horse to the machine.

A seat 64 is mounted on standards 65, which parts a rotary motion to the knife and endless. apron, causing the stalks to becut between the knife-and the plate it operates on, forming a shear cut/ the stalks being carried between the spring-guards and the apron and delivered to the stalk-carrier. When a sufficient quantity of cornhas been accumulated, the guide or standard 37 is swung to one side, as indicated in dotted lines, and the bunches of corn deposited for shocks, after which the guide 37 is closed and the operation c t ued- Y This invention is, particularly adapted for harvesting corn which has been beaten or f'trampled down, the arrangement of the fenders and guides for picking up the stalks being such as to elevate and raise them to an upright position tobe cut. l r The position of the thills can be changed at will by operating the lever 56, this being necessary under certain conditions 'and'circumstances.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a pair of connected curved thills for a corn-harvester projecting beyond the animal hitched to the machine in a downward direction, of a curved rod secured to the outer upper corner of each ofsaid thills, and adj ustableextensions' on the thills, said extensions being in substantial alinement with the curved rode, the curvature of the rods being greater than the curvature of the thills, all for the purpose of picking up the stalks in front of the animal drawing themachine, and guiding them to the cutters, substantially as set forth.

i. A corn-harvester provided with two cutting and delivering mechanisms, means on each side of, and in advance of the animal pulling the harvester for picking up and guiding the corn to said cutters, consisting of a pair of curved adjustable thills, a curved rod secured to each of the thills, the curva-' ture of the rods being greater than the curvature of the thills, and adjustable pick-ups or guides located on the extreme outer ends of the thills, said pick-ups or guides being in substantial alinement with the curved rods, substantially as set forth.

3. Acorn-harvester, provided with'two cutting and delivering mechanisms mounted on separate platforms, said platforms being transversely adjustable, a serrated rack se cured to each platform, curved thills hinged to the platforms, a lever secured to each thill to engage the rack on the platforms, each thill carrying guides or fenders which consist of a curved rod secured to each thill, the curvature of the rods being greater than the curvature of the thills, and adjustable pickups or guides, located on the extreme outer ends of the thills, said pick-ups or guides being in substantial alinement with the curved rods, said thills, curved rods and extensions being capable of adjustment up or down, by the rack and lever, substantially as set forth.

IIO

4:. A pair of curved thills for a corn-harvester having fenders or guides secured thereto, consisting of'a curved rod secured to each thill, the curvature of each rod being greater than the curvature of the thills, and an adjustable pick-up or fender located at the tip of each thill, each pick-up made of a single piece of resilient material bent upon itself and secured adj ustably to the end of the thill, said pick-ups or fenders being in substantial alinement with the curved rods, substantially as set forth.

5. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a platform made in two sections, said sections being transversely adjustable, each section having a notch in the front end, a

' pair of curved adjustable thills extending therefrom, each thill having a fender secured to it, each fender consisting of a curved rod rigidly secured to the thill, an adjustable pick-up secured to the extreme outer ends of each thill consisting of a single piece of material bent upon itself, the free endv being adjusted by keepers and bolts, a seriesof spring-guards supported on standards on each platform-section, a frame mounted on each platform-section supporting a rotary knife and an endlessapron, gearing deriving its motion from the main shaft operating the same, an adjustable fender projecting downwardly and outwardly from eachframe, and a rack supported on each platform behind the cutters and aprons for catching the corn as it is delivered from the apron, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a corn-l1arvester, the combination with a platform made in two sections, removably connected together to allow of a transverse adjustment between each section, each section being notched at its front end a series of spring-guards supported on standards on the platform-sections a frame mounted on the frames, racks arranged behind the cutters and aprons, one member of which is movable, and a pair of adjustable thills eXtend-.

ing forwardly from the platform sections, each thill carrying a curved fender or guide which is located at the apex of the upper and outer sides of each thill in alinement with the spring-guards on the platform-sections, sub.- stantially as set forth.

'7. In a corn-harvester, the combination with means for picking up turned-down corn in advance of the horse pulling the machine, of two cutting mechanisms, each mounted on separate platforms, and adjustably held together by a sleeve locked by bolts to the ends of a shaft projecting from each platform, and a plate rigid on one section, and slotted at the opposite end and adjustablyheld to the other section by locking-bolts, substantially as set forth.

8. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a platform made in two sections, and transversely adjustable by a sleeve orsleeves, locked to lugs projecting therefrom, a plate secured to one section and adj ustably secured to the other, and a seat, mounted on springstandards, one of which is secured to each sectional platform, the two meeting and being pivotally connected to the under side of the seat, substantially as set forth.

9. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a platform, a holder, means for cutting and means for guiding corn to the holder, said holder consisting of a pair of parallel curved arms one'of said arms being secured at the front end to the frame which supports the means for guiding the corn after it has been cut, the rear end of said arm being secured to the platform, the opposite or outer parallel arm being pivotally secured to the guardframe, and the free end removably secured to the platform, and an end bar having each end secured to the platform in rear of the parallel rods, then extending upwardly and then bent downwardly-forming a concave seat for the ends of the corn to rest in, substantially as shown and described.

10. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a platform made in two sections, said sections movably connected together to permit of a transverse adjustment, each platform-section having a notch at the front end, along one edge of which isa stationary knife, a revolving knife carried on a vertical shaft which coacts with the stationary knife, a series of vertical shafts or rollers supported on the platforms, said rollers carrying aprons, a frame for supporting the knife-shaft and the apron shafts or rollers, a series of guards secured to vertical rods rising from the platform-sections, said guards positionedso as to press the corn after it has been out against the horizontal aprons, gearing connected to the apron-shafts and the revolving knifeoperating-shaft of the machine, curved thills connected to the front of the platform, one to each section, each thill carrying a curved fender, the curvature of which is greater than shaft, which secures its motion from the main the curve of the thills, and adjustable tips In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES A. SMITH. Witnesses:

GEO. E. FRECH, FRED J. HARTMAN. 

